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AYSO Region 104 Uniform Policy

Replacement uniforms are only provided if the largest uniform size for a division is undersized. Oversized uniforms are not eligible for replacement.

The uniforms are deliberately sized a bit large to accommodate the growth of players over the course of the season. This has the added benefit of allowing warmer clothing to be worn under the jerseys during inclement weather.

Uniform requests should be made by Coaches and are verified by Registrars and/or Division Commissioners (DCs). The communications protocol for uniform issues is Parent to Coach, Coach to DC (or Coach to Equipment Manager, cc DC). Parents should not contact the Equipment Manager directly. Please include your DC on all communications (e-mail) regarding uniforms. If your DC is not available then include the Boys or Girls Coordinator as appropriate.

Uniforms are made to order – not off the shelf. It takes about 2 weeks for delivery of individual uniform requests. The Equipment Manager will contact the requester when it arrives to arrange for pickup.

The factors that influence the AYSO Region 104 Uniform Policy.

1 - Timeline of events: At the end of the Spring half of the season (end of April), Region 104 immediately begins registration for the Fall. About a month (early August) before the Fall season starts (early September), we have the Coaches meeting to distribute information, uniform team kits and provide training. Our uniform supplier asks for a minimum of 6 weeks lead-time to process the team kits in time for distribution at the Coaches meeting. This means the order for the majority of uniforms/team kits needs to be placed by early June based on the registration numbers available at that time. This initial order is only an ~80% solution as registration/team formation continues up to the beginning of the season.

2 – Coaches: Each year there is a mix of new and returning Coach Volunteers. New Coaches have no idea of the uniform sizes for their teams, so orders are based on historical sizing data for the divisions. The historical sizing data works for 98% of players. Unfortunately, some players do fall outside the normal size distribution for a given division. Custom sizing of uniforms or jersey numbers is not an option for the Core Program. Uniform orders placed after early June will not be available in time for the Coaches meeting. The chart below shows the uniform sizes for each division:

3 – Region 104 size: Region 104 has several programs for our players including our Core Program, VIP, ACT and United. Of the 4 programs hosted, the Equipment manager is responsible for providing uniforms and field equipment (nets, cones, flags, signs, hammers, stakes, bags, pinnies, etc.) for Core, ACT and VIP. This currently amounts to ~2300 players (ages 4-18), ~250 teams, and ~34 game fields of various sizes and equipment needs. With that many kids and team, it is logistically impossible to gather individual player sizes to custom order team kits.4 – Volunteer Time Constraints: Region 104 only has one Equipment Manager (EM). During the summer and immediately before the season starts the EM must focus on orders, surveying, inventorying, kitting, and distribution for uniforms and equipment. Post season the EM is concerned with equipment recovery, surveying, inventorying, kitting, and distribution preparation for the next season or event. During these critical times, individual uniform issues are lowest priority and can only be addressed if it is a valid issue (see policy statement above).

Possible solutions for oversized uniforms include:

- Redistribute or trade with another player on the team for a better fit.- Alter uniforms by tailoring/hemming or tying a knot in it.- Order a replacement uniform on your own. Complete the information below and submit to the Equipment Manager for approval of the appropriate logos.